The past few weeks have gone by incredibly fast as I have had much to do and many opportunities presented to me. One of the most enjoyable of those was on Easter Sunday- Our church had a sunrise service at the beach where we were joined by two other churches and a number of people who were just passing by and decided to join us. I was asked to present the message for the service, and while it was a challenge to talk to a large crowd over the sound of the waves, it was one of the most enjoyable settings that I have ever been able to preach in. It was an absolutely perfect day with a beautiful sunrise and wonderfully encouraging fellowship with other believers. What a blessing to be here and to have such a great opportunity!

I've been preaching a bit more lately which always gives me an opportunity to see God's provision. This past Sunday I spoke at Bethany on Sunday morning and at Grace Baptist Church in the evening. Sometimes when I am preparing to preach I feel very uncertain about how to share what God has put on my heart, but time and time again I've seen Him bring clarity as I communicate the message, and sometimes, to use even what I feel has been poorly communicated.

I have a lot to keep me busy in the next few weeks because I am preparing to make a short trip home! I am so thankful for all the people who have so generously made it possible for me to go home for a couple of weeks. I’m really looking forward to seeing friends and family after a full year of being here. I hadn’t originally planned on coming home at all during my stay here, mostly because of the cost of travel, but God has provided so abundantly, and I am truly thankful for the love of those whom God has used to make this possible.

I’ll be leaving Durban on May 18 and will return on June 7. One of the things that I am really excited about is that when I come back at the beginning of June a young man named Matt Burkett will be travelling with me. He is going to spend 2 months here, helping me with the ministries I am a part of before beginning his first year of college in August. I am looking forward to seeing how God will use him while he is here and what God will teach both of us as we work together.

So life, right now, is full of a lot of excitement and countless opportunities. I am looking forward to seeing those of you who will be in PA while I’m home, and I prayerfully anticipate that we will be mutually encouraged by one another’s faith and the testimony of what God has done in our lives over the past year. I ask that you would continue to pray for God’s blessing here, that He might be glorified in all that I do!